In this ever-improving Boston Red Sox organization, the competition among minor leaguers is producing both talent and heartbreak.

About 2:30 a.m. on Friday, after the Portland Sea Dogs returned from a trip to Connecticut, Manager Arnie Beyeler summoned third baseman Andrew Pinckney.

Pinckney, 26, thought he might get promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket. Instead, he was released.

Beyeler told Pinckney that the Red Sox were making room for Jorge Jimenez, 23, a promising third baseman promoted from Class A.

"It's really insulting," Pinckney said by phone Friday night. "I've never been more (ticked) off in my life.

"(To be replaced by) a kid who was in Lowell last year, and spent a heartbeat in A-ball, I'm appalled.

"I'm not doing bad. ... People are telling me that it's a business and I can't take it personally. But I do take it personally."

It is personal. Human beings and their emotions are involved.

Beyeler could not sleep after delivering the news.

"It's a sad day," Beyeler said.

Catcher John Otness had been Pinckney's teammate for every season since both were drafted in 2004. On the bus ride from Connecticut, they spoke of Pinckney's possible promotion to Pawtucket. Later, Otness saw Pinckney go into Beyeler's office and thought the best. But soon, he was consoling his friend.

"It was one of the roughest nights I've had in professional baseball," Otness said. "It's heartbreaking."

Another long-time teammate, Jeff Corsaletti, said, "it shows the business side of it. ... This farm system is good. Guys are always going to be pushing you, wanting to take your spot."

Here are the factors that led to Pinckney's release:

With an emphasis on developing players, the Red Sox farm system is no longer thin. Players must perform or go.

"Six or seven years ago, there may have been more breathing room to keep playing," said Ben Cherington, Boston's vice president of player personnel.

There is less room now. In spring training, third-base prospect Scott White, 24, a third-round draft pick in 2002, was released after too many so-so seasons.

Boston's patience is limited, especially with non-prospects. "We've got a lot of priority players that need to play," Cherington said

Pinckney was drafted in the 34th round, after four years at Division III Emory University. He had a breakout year in 2005 in Class A Greenville (.311, 21 home runs), but his numbers have declined the last three years.

Last year in Portland, he batted .264, with 14 home runs and a .327 on-base percentage. In 56 games this year, he was hitting .269, with five home runs and a .299 on-base percentage.

At age 26, Pinckney needed to put up bigger numbers. He still has a chance to impress another team, though, because he was picked up Saturday by the Toronto Blue Jays and assigned to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

Triple-A Pawtucket was not considered an option for Pinckney. Pawtucket's third basemen are Keith Ginter and Chad Spann. Ginter, a major league veteran, is there in case he's needed in Boston in an emergency. Spann is struggling (.193), but he is only 24, and therefore has more time to develop in the Red Sox's view.

Jimenez is promising with his bat and glove. A 15th-round draft pick out of junior college in 2006, he excelled in Lowell last year, skipped past Greenville this year, and batted .352 at Lancaster.

Jimenez has potential, but he turns 24 in September. His time to prove himself is not unlimited. Other players will eventually move up. Right now in the rookie league, 17-year-old third base sensation Michael Almanzar is batting .412.

"Guys with ability are going to be given every opportunity to play," Cherington said. "At some point, the performance has to be there, or someone else will be given those at-bats."

Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:

kthomas@pressherald.com